President Obama declares disaster for Harris County

Published 11:41 am, Monday, April 25, 2016

The Cypresswood area was hit hard by flooding from Cypress Creek on Monday and Tuesday. Area residents are still under water.

The Cypresswood area was hit hard by flooding from Cypress Creek on Monday and Tuesday. Area residents are still under water.

Photo: Tony Gaines

President Obama declares disaster for Harris County

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President Barack Obama and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have approved federal disaster relief funding for Harris County as well as other Texas counties impacted by severe weather since April 18, 2016.

Federal assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

"The presidential disaster declaration, which includes all of Harris County, allows FEMA and other federal agencies to begin providing relief to individuals affected by this most recent flood. Harris County continues to work with local nonprofit and volunteer organizations to provide immediate relief,” said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in Harris County can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.

Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) should call 1-800-621-3362.